Following a vehicle pursuit, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) has arrested a man and woman connected to the theft of a catalytic converter.
On August 13, at 2 a.m., an alert resident observed a catalytic converter being stolen near Great Park Blvd. and Ridge Valley and called IPD. A responding officer observed a vehicle, matching the description provided by the resident, speeding away. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled. During the pursuit the driver briefly stopped and a woman fled from the vehicle. The pursuit continued until the driver abandoned the vehicle near Irvine Blvd. and Modjeska.
Responding officers, who were assisted by an Anaheim Police Department helicopter, located both the male driver and woman who fled. Officers also located a catalytic converter that had been cut from a vehicle along with a hydraulic car jack and cutting tools used in the theft.
The man, identified as 47-year-old Gilbert Garcia of Pomona, was arrested for evading police during the pursuit and theft of the catalytic converter. The woman, identified as 40-year-old Lisa Hafley of Redlands, was arrested for outstanding warrants. The suspects’ vehicle is a grey, 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche.
Anyone with information related to this case should contact Detective Jonathan Sampson at 949-724-7270 or email jsampson@cityofirvine.org.